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Summer is in full swing on the Spokane River—just ask the moose (pictured below) cooling off in its waters! We've seen (and heard!) plenty of reports of a certain antlered swimmer beating the heat, and we’re right there with them. This month, we’re celebrating all the joy, beauty, and community that make summer on the river so special. From paddles to partnerships, it’s a season of connection—and a reminder that protecting the river starts with listening, both to each other and to the water.
As we head into late summer, the river begins to shift. The first signs of fall stir in the air, and salmon are brought back to start their sacred return to spawn—a powerful symbol of resilience, renewal, and the life that flows through this watershed.
| | Once again, July was a month packed with time on the river and connecting with you, our community! Our staff has spent time on almost every stretch of river this month, from the shallow rocks in Spokane Valley all the way to the slow stretches of the lower river into Lake Roosevelt. Let's dive into all of our adventures from the month! | | We hosted our second ever Full Moon Float, and were joined by over 100 of you to paddle under the rise of the Buck Moon! It is so inspiring to see so many people on the water right in downtown Spokane, coming together to share in the magic of the river at dusk. Events like this remind us why we work so hard to protect the Spokane: because a healthy river is a place where community, connection, and joy can flourish. | |
We’ve also been out in the community sharing knowledge, sparking curiosity, and connecting the next generation to the river. Katelyn visited WE STEM at EWU, where she spoke with young girls about geoscience careers and how science can be a tool for protecting the places we love. Our team joined the Ubuntu Nature Camp, sharing river advocacy and water quality lessons with Black youth and helping build joyful, hands-on connections to local water. Jule also wrapped up the final summer lessons with the Salish School, where students continue to grow into great stewards of the river.
These moments remind us that education is a powerful form of advocacy—and that the future of the river is already growing strong.
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We hosted our first-ever Paint & Paddle, bringing together a group of 15 paddlers for an overnight trip on the lower Spokane River. Along the way, we made time to slow down, take in the landscape, and capture the experience through art with the expert instruction of Megan Perkins. Whether painting from the shoreline or paddling on the water, this trip blended creativity, community, and connection to place in a whole new way.
We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us—and we’re already dreaming up the next one!
| While out in the field this month, Jule and Katelyn stumbled upon something special—a salmon release happening right along the riverbank. These releases are part of a larger, long-term salmon reintroduction effort led by local Tribes and partners working to bring salmon back to the upper Columbia Basin. It was a powerful reminder that restoration is happening all around us—and that every step forward, no matter how small, brings us closer to a future where salmon once again thrive in the Spokane River. You can learn more about salmon reintroduction from our partners over at Upper Columbia United Tribes. | | Over the past month, Katelyn has worked on raising awareness about the importance of renewing the Spokane County Aquifer Protection Area (APA). Through media interviews, community events, and public education, she is helping voters understand what’s at stake—and why protecting our aquifer is good for the river. One highlight was the County Spotlight episode on KSPS, where she joined County Commissioner Amber Waldref to talk about how the APA supports clean water, community health, and long-term environmental stewardship. | |
This summer, we're taking our river cleanups to the next level. We're on the water more than ever, and have the capacity to try some new things in the program!
Liv recently traveled to Oregon to join Willamette Riverkeeper for one of their on-water cleanups, learning firsthand how they organize and engage volunteers to protect their river. We're bringing those lessons home and planning more public on-water cleanup events right here in Spokane before the season ends—stay tuned!
We’re also following in Willamette Riverkeeper’s footsteps by using the data we collect to push for legal accountability. This year, we formally submitted our trash data—collected over years of cleanups—to the Washington Department of Ecology, urging them to recognize trash as a pollutant and take action to address it under the Clean Water Act. A cleaner river isn’t just about picking up trash—it’s about building lasting solutions.
| In our River Science Program, Jule presented the results from our winter water quality sampling efforts, giving volunteers and partners a deeper look at what we’re learning from the data. We also hosted our first-ever macroinvertebrate sampling event, where participants got hands-on with the small but mighty critters that help indicate the health of the river. | It’s always exciting to see how engaged our community is when it comes to science on the water. Whether you're a seasoned naturalist or just curious to learn more, there’s a place for you in this work. Join us for our next sampling event on August 13—no experience needed! | Our real-time temperature loggers are back up and running! These tools help us monitor how the Spokane River responds to heat, and our intern Aiden hard at work collecting and managing temperature data to support our advocacy and restoration goals. This data is key for understanding water quality through the river basin! Stay tuned as we share what the river is telling us in real time. | | |
We are proud to spotlight the Spokane Tribe of Indians, steadfast protectors of he Spokane River and deeply valued partners in our shared work for clean, healthy waters.
The Spokane Tribe has always had a sacred relationship with the river. Today, they are leading efforts to restore salmon to their ancestral waters, a bold and visionary project to reconnect the river with its original abundance. Their work honors cultural traditions, ecological resilience, and future generations—and we’re proud to stand in support of it.
In turn, the Tribe supports our work to protect water quality throughout the Spokane River basin. Their knowledge, leadership, and collaboration strengthen everything from science and policy to legal action and community education.
Together, we are working toward a future where the river runs cleaner, stronger, and full of life.
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Call for Writers, Poets, & Artists!
Spoken River: Submissions Now Open
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Have something to say about the Spokane River? We want to hear it. Spokane Riverkeeper is now accepting submissions for Spoken River—our annual night of storytelling, art, and river advocacy.
We're looking for short-form creative work (500 words max) that honors the river and the lands and people it sustains. Whether it’s a poem, a personal reflection, or a piece of visual art, your voice belongs in this celebration.
Theme: The river is here for us. We are here for the river.
Deadline: September 30, 2025
Selected contributors will receive two free tickets and present their work live at our November event. We especially welcome submissions from Indigenous voices, youth, and underrepresented communities.
Let the river inspire you—submit your story today.
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Get Involved This Summer!
Summer is here and we have lots of opportunities to get involved. Join us catching crayfish, floating the river, or on a river cleanup! Check out our events page to sign up!
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August 9, 11:30am – River Rendezvous: BYO-Boat Float Float with us from Peaceful Valley to TJ Meenach and share a day on the water with us! While we float you can learn more about how we protect clean water. Sign-up required.
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August 13, 5:00pm – Macroinvertebrate Sampling Day A hands-on 1.5 hour event with Waterkeeper Jule Schultz and EWU to collect and identify underwater bugs in the Spokane River.
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August 15, 10am-3pm – On-Water Public Cleanup. Jump on our boat or bring your boat or kayak and help us clean up on the river! Limited spots available!
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August 16, 9-11am – Geocaching Cleanup. Join Spokane Riverkeeper and the Inland Empire Chapter of the Washington State Geocaching Association for a special Cache In Trash Out (CITO) river cleanup event! Sign up here
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August 15-16 – Envisioning a Restored Lower Snake River Flotilla. Hosted by Nimiipuu Protecting the Environment and Save Our Wild Salmon, join this rally and celebration of the Snake River.
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August 18, 5:30-7:30 pm – Spokane Mountaineers Huntington Park Cleanup. We're teaming up with the Spokane Mountaineers to clean up the hillside at Huntington Park. Learn more and sign up with Spokane Mountaineers!
| | Interested in becoming a Spoken River sponsor? Email katie@spokaneriverkeeper.org for more information | | |
Thank you for supporting the effort to keep Spokane River and its tributaries clean for generations to come.
Your Spokane Riverkeeper Team,
Katelyn Scott
Katie Thompson
Jule Schultz
Liv Kindl
Anne Tenold
SRK Board
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